Verse 1. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Some movement of mighty power is symbolized in these verses. The consideration of a few facts will guide us unmistakably to the application. In chapter xiv, we had a message announcing the fall of Babylon. Babylon, the nominal churches of the land, all at war with each other, and in confusion in their sentiments, and destitute of the life and power of godliness, experienced a moral fall by rejecting the first message of that chapter. Consequently the announcement in the chapter under consideration could not have gone forth previous to that time. It is either synonymous with the declaration of the fall of Babylon, in chap. xiv, or it is given at a later period than that. Is it synonymous with that? It is not; for that merely announces the fall of Babylon, while this adds several particulars, which at that time were neither fulfilled, nor in process of fulfillment. As we are therefore to look this side of 1844 where the previous message went forth, for the announcement brought to view in this chapter, we inquire, Has any such message gone forth since that time to the present? There has not; hence this message is still future. But we are now having the third angel's message which is the last to be given before the coming of the Son of man. We are therefore held to the conclusion that the first two verses of this chapter constitute a feature of the third message, when it shall go forth with power, and the whole earth be lightened with its glory.
The work brought to view in verse 2, is being accomplished and will soon be completed, by the work of Spiritualism. Spirits of devils are secretly but rapidly working their way into the religious denominations above referred to, which, resting under their deep potations of the wine of Babylon, are unable to resist their insidious approach.
Verse 3 shows the wide extent of her influence, and the evil that has resulted from her course, and hence the justness of her punishment. The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. Who take the lead in all the extravagances of the age? Church members. Who load their tables with the richest and choicest viands? Church members. Who are foremost in extravagance in dress, and all costly attire? Church members. Who are the very personification of pride and arrogance? Church members. Where shall we look for the very highest exhibition of the luxury, vain show and pride of life, resulting from the vanity and sin of the race? Ans. To a modern church assembly on a pleasant Sunday.
But there is a redeeming feature to this picture. Degenerate as Babylon has become as a body, there are exceptions to the general rule; for God has still a people in her communion; and she must be entitled to some regard on their account, till they are called from her connection. Nor shall we have to wait long for this call; for soon, if we mistake not, Babylon will come so completely under the control of devils and foul spirits that her condition will be fully manifest to all the honest in heart, and the way be all prepared for the work which the apostle now introduces.
Verse 4. And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. 8. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
The voice coming from heaven, denotes that it will be a message of power, attended with heavenly glory. The fact that God's people are called out so as not to be partakers of her sins, shows that it is not till a certain time that people become guilty by being connected with Babylon; and this explains how it can be said of the 144,000, Rev. xiv, 4, many of whom are the very ones here called out, that they were not defiled with women.
Verses 6 and 7 we regard as a prophetic declaration that she will be rewarded or punished according to her works. As she has filled up the cup of persecution to the saints, so the Lord will requite her, Ps. xxxv, 6, and judgments from on high, will bring upon her in a two-fold degree, the evil which she thought to bring upon the saints.
The day in which her plagues come, mentioned in verse 8, must be a prophetic day, or at least cannot be a literal day, for it would be impossible for famine to come in that length of time. The plagues of Babylon are without doubt the seven last plagues which have been already examined; and we infer from the language of this verse, in connection with Isa. xxxiv, 8, that a year will be occupied in pouring them out.
Verse 9. And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10. Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11. And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more.
The infliction of the very first plague must result in a complete suspension of traffic in those articles of luxury for which Babylon is noted. And when the merchants of these things, who are to a great extent citizens of this symbolic city, and who have been made rich by their traffic in these things, suddenly find themselves and their neighbors smitten with putrefying sores, their traffic suspended, and their vast stores of merchandise on hand, but none to buy them, they lift up their voices in lamentation for the fate of this great city. And if there is anything that will draw from the men of this generation a sincere cry of distress, it is that which touches their pockets. And there is a fitness in this retribution. They who but a short time before had issued a decree that the saints of God should neither buy nor sell, now find themselves in the same predicament by a far more effectual process.
The question may arise how persons involved in the same calamity can stand afar off and lament, &c. But it must be remembered that this desolation is brought to view under a figure; and that figure is a city visited with destruction. Should calamity come upon a literal city, it would be natural for its inhabitants to flee from that city, if they had opportunity, and standing afar off, lament its fall; and just in proportion to their terror and amazement at the evil impending, would be the distance at which they would stand from their devoted city. Now the figure of the apostle would not be complete without a feature of this kind; and so he uses it, not to imply that people would literally flee from the symbolical city, which would be impossible, but to denote their terror and amazement at the descending judgments.
Verse 12. The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble, 13. And cinnamon, and odors, and ointments, and frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men.
Here we have an enumeration of great Babylon's merchandise, among which, it will be noticed, are slaves and souls of men; and this must be a description of the abject bondage of both body and soul in which the slave is held by his American master. But what has the church to do with slavery? According to an eminent commentator, Albert Barnes we think, the church is the great bulwark of American slavery; and it is a fact that at least six hundred thousand slaves are held by church members South. This is conclusive evidence that the American church forms a part of great Babylon; for no other church organizations, of which we have knowledge, are at the present time engaged in this abominable traffic.
Verse 14. And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at all.
The fruits here mentioned we learn by reference to the original to be "autumnal fruits." In other words, the "delicacies of the season," upon which the luxurious professor so sets his pampered appetite, will be suddenly cut off. This of course is the work of the famine, which is the result of the fourth vial. Chap. xvi, 8.
Verse 15. The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off, for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16. And saying, Alas! alas! that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17. For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every ship-master, and all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar off, 18. And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19. And they cast dust on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas! alas! that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate.
The reader can readily imagine the cause of this universal voice of mourning, lamentation, and woe. Imagine the plague of sores preying upon the race, the rivers turned to blood, the sea like the blood of a dead man, the sun scorching men with fire, their traffic gone, and their silver and gold unable to deliver them, and we need not wonder at their exclamations of distress, nor that ship-masters and sailors join in the general wail. Very different is the emotion the saints are called upon to exercise, as the following testimony shows:
Verse 20. Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for God hath avenged you on her. 21. And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great mill-stone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all. 22. And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in thee; and the sound of a mill-stone shall be heard no more at all in thee; 23. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee; for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24. And in her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.
Who are the apostles and prophets here spoken of? It may refer to apostles and prophets of old, inasmuch as in close connection with this destruction of Babylon, we understand they will all be delivered from the power of death and the grave.
Like a great mill-stone, Babylon sinks to rise no more. The various arts and crafts that have been employed in her midst, and ministered to her desires, shall be practiced no more. The pompous music that has been employed in her imposing, but formal and godless, service, dies away forever. The scenes of festivity and gladness, when the bridegroom and bride have been led before her altars, shall be witnessed no more.
Her sorceries constitute her leading crime; and sorcery is a work which answers to the Spiritualism of to-day. "And in her was found the blood of all that were slain upon the earth;" from which we infer that ever since the introduction of a false religion into the world, Babylon has existed. In her has been found all along opposition to the work of God, and persecution of his people. In reference to the guilt of the last generation, see "Thoughts" on chap. xvi, 6.
Humility Before the Rod Is Burnt
When you are thoroughly humbled, the rod shall be burnt.
Purify Yourselves.
By Isaac Sanborn
"I BESEECH you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world." Rom. xii, 1, 2.
Paul, in speaking of the fall of the first house of Israel, says in chap. xi, 20, Well, because of unbelief they were broken off; and thou standest by faith. Be not high-minded, but fear; for if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he spare not thee.
The apostle, feeling stirred at the possibility of the grafts' falling, says, I beseech you to present your bodies holy. It is possible that many brethren and sisters do not give that attention to the apostle's testimony that the greatness of the subject demands. We see that in the Jewish priesthood the priests had to cleanse themselves before they began to minister unto God. See Ex. xxix, 4. And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water, and put on the linen garments. Here every one can see that they had to be physically clean before they could minister before the Lord.
Now contrast with the above what Paul says in Titus ii, 14: Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord; and I will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Cor. vi, 17, 18.
Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (or mind), perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord. Chap. vii, 1. How few there are who are willing to obey the Lord in the above requirements, but will continue in idolatrous practices; will chew and smoke their filthy tobacco, and wear their jewelry, artificials, and hoops, and still profess that they are commandment-keepers; while the Lord has just said, Cleanse yourselves. We hope such will reform immediately, that they may be reckoned with those of whom Peter speaks in his first epistle ii, 5: Ye also as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. See also verse 9.
Now what do those priests have to offer? Paul says, Their bodies a living sacrifice. But are there not a good many who, if we may judge from their acts and words, have reserved their tongues to themselves, and are using them in an unlawful manner, speaking evil of their brethren, while James says, Speak not evil one of another, brethren? James iv, 11. But be ye kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another. Rom. xii, 10.
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. Eph. vi, 10, 11.
But some act as though Paul had told them to stand against the wiles of their brethren, and go to wrestling against flesh and blood; notwithstanding Paul says in verse 12, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood (and of course not against our brethren and sisters), but against principalities and against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, or as the margin reads, wicked spirits in heavenly places. O that God may help all to cease their warfare with each other, and go to warring against the Devil, who is making war with the remnant of the woman's seed which keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Rev. xii, 17.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Wherefore laying aside all malice and all guile, hypocrisies, envyings, and all evil speakings, &c., 1 Pet. ii, 1, having done all these things, stand, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.
Let every one heed these commands, and peace will be the result among God's people. Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
Come, brethren, let us wake up, for the day of the Lord is at hand, and who shall be able to stand? David answers in Ps. xv: He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart: he that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor. Verse 5. He that doeth these things shall never be moved. Now as Paul says in Col. iii, 3, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, would it not be well for us all who are in the habit of fault-finding, to lay it all aside, and take unto us the whole armor of God, and begin to fight Satan and his evil host. May God help all thus to do, is my prayer.
ISAAC SANBORN.
Newkirk, Green Co., Wis.
A General Conference for Vermont
By A. S. Hutchins, A. C. Bourdeau, D. T. Bourdeau
From the Conference Committee of Vt.
BRO. WHITE: We admire the plan of organization set forth by yourself and others in the Review, and have tried to follow it as far as our experience and the state of the cause in Vermont would permit. We are highly pleased with the idea that you and sister White are prepared to attend General Conferences in different States as fast as the way opens; and as we wish to avail ourselves of the benefits of your experience, and move in perfect harmony with the body, we would here invite you to appoint a General Conference for the State of Vermont, to be held as early as next June, or when you, in your judgment, shall see fit. We have greatly desired to so move as to not bring a stain on the cause in this State. We are now endeavoring to carry out order in the churches, and hope that all the churches in Vermont will be prepared to unite in conference when you come East.
We think we realize in a measure the solemnity and importance of the work in which we are engaged, and long to see the time when the entire church will come into working order. Then will the Lord work mightily through his people, and cut his work short in righteousness; for a short work will the Lord make upon the earth.
We would say for the encouragement of the brethren and sisters in Northern Vt., that our last monthly meeting, held at Bakersfield, was the best that we ever attended in this section. At that meeting we felt the necessity of bearing straight testimony, and were greatly encouraged in seeing the brethren and sisters come out decidedly on the principles of organization. A few were added to the church. We trust that the solemn, refreshing season we enjoyed in attending to the ordinances will long and pleasantly be remembered.
A. S. HUTCHINS,
A. C. BOURDEAU,
D. T. BOURDEAU, } Conference Committee.
Letter From Ireland.
[The following letter from sister Martin of Ireland, has deeply interested many friends to whom I have read it; and knowing that it would interest very many of the readers of the Review, I take the liberty to offer it for publication.—Ellen G. White.]
From Sister Martin.
Dear Sister White: I received your letter dated 20th Sept., and was very sorry to hear you were so ill. I sincerely hope you may be spared to your family and to the cause as long as God has any work to do in this world. I do thank God that he has so signally manifested his power on your behalf, and trust it has resulted in saving a soul.
I know that you will be glad to hear that Bro. Campbell, whom I have often mentioned to you and Bro. White before, has fully come out on the doctrine, and is, with his family, keeping the Sabbath according to the commandment. He is a widower—has three children. The oldest, a boy of nine years, was convinced at once, and asked his papa what day Jesus Christ kept. On being told he kept the seventh, or the one called Saturday, he said, Well papa, that is the one we should keep. I believe the child has really experienced a change of heart. Bro. Campbell is preaching our doctrine as far as he has got the light. Some points he has not got light enough upon to explain them to others. He says he cannot see clearly that we are the last generation. He spent a day with us lately. He asked me how I could speak so confidently on the nearness of the Saviour's coming. Said he wished he could see as clearly as I do. I then mentioned the visions, and told him I believed them as fully as I did any other part of the Scriptures; told him I would not give them to unbelievers in proof of any doctrine, but would give them to believers to confirm a doctrine in connection with other scriptures. He said he did not know as he could do that, but said he believed God was as willing to communicate to his dear saints now as he ever was. I then gave him Vol. I, and he had Vol. II, of Spiritual Gifts, but said he had not read any of it. I advised him to read them, and they would explain many thing to him that he did not now fully understand.
There is one of his hearers, a cousin of mine, that I had not seen for years till I met her at Bro. Campbell's. After that I went to her own house, and left her a book on the Sabbath question, Pauline Theology, and Testimony No. 7. She has come out on the Sabbath. She is a true child of God, and obeyed the truth as soon as it was brought before her.22The Methodist people are greatly enraged at seeing some of their very choicest people being led away as they are pleased to say. Bro. C. is looked up to by the whole body as one of their very choicest preachers and most consistent characters; and Mrs. Read was always looked upon among the Methodists as a pattern woman.
I am not tired of the narrow way, but rather rejoice that I am counted worthy to suffer all the little I am called upon to suffer for his name, and that he has graciously blessed my poor feeble endeavors to spread his truth. I do bless and praise his holy name that he is giving me daily stronger desires after holiness, and my constant prayer is, Let me feel the fellowship of his sufferings, and in all things be conformed more and more to his likeness. I have many temptations to encounter, but out of them all the Lord is able and willing to deliver me. O may I with every one who now keeps, and those who will keep, his holy Sabbath in spirit and in truth, and every other truth connected with it, be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in these last days, is my prayer.
I am deeply impressed lately that we are coming very near the closing scene of this world's history. Oh how solemn the thought! and how much it behooves us to be daily striving for a holier frame of mind, and for grace to do every known duty, and an earnest constant prayer to God for more light, more wisdom, and more judgment to do just what he would have us do.
There is a good deal of excitement in this country now about our doctrine. I hope Bro. White has got my last letter, dated, I think, 7th Oct., in which I made a request for a messenger. I trust some of them will see it duty to respond to the call.
I am solemnly impressed with the thought that what is to be done for this world must be done quickly. I think he should bring a good supply of books with him. Bro. Campbell was with me to-day for a few hours. His mind has been wonderfully impressed, I think, with a great many of our opinions. For a long time he was wishing to me that he could see the chart. Now if it were possible to send one by post, I would be very grateful to you if you could get one of them sent to me, not the ones on rollers of course, also one Sabbath book in paper covers by J. N. Andrews, the Sanctuary and twenty-three hundred days, and one of the Three Angel's Messages, soon as convenient; and I will send the means to pay for them soon. The 15th number of the present volume of the Review has been destroyed by salt water, if possible would you kindly send me another, as I get them bound? Your letter gave all the Sabbath-keepers in this country great pleasure to think that there was a hope of a messenger's coming. It would be very kind of the brethren in America to do so much for us as to pay their way here and back. Bro. C. was very much rejoiced to hear that part in particular. Do you think he should baptize before being ordained by our people? He will certainly see all duty plain before he does it.
All the Sabbath-keepers join in love to you and Bro. White. Hoping to hear from you when it is convenient, your sister striving to overcome.
Jane Martin.
Tullysvine, Coote Hill, Cavan Co., Ireland, November 16th, 1862.
Meetings in West Union, Iowa.
By M. H. Cornell
This series of meetings closed Dec. 1st. They were held in the court-house, and were well attended until the last week, when the number was reduced about half, in consequence of the storms and severe cold weather which then set in. However, there was a good audience at the last meeting, and they listened with marked attention to the subject of the seven last plagues.
There was a statement made in one of the papers that no preaching or lectures had ever been listened to by so many for so long a time in that place before. In my experience I never saw a more determined and powerful opposition, from both visible and invisible foes, than was manifested there. Several counter-interests were introduced during the lectures, such as spiritual wonders, panorama of the war, readings of a professor of elocution, discussion between Universalist and Disciple elders, soldiers arriving and departing, &c., &c. I sold one hundred and twenty-five of the book, Scripture References, and there was a general searching of the Scriptures. Many declared the Bible was a new book. Twelve subscribed for the Review, and two for the Youth's Instructor. Several others wish to subscribe when I return. When a vote was called to know how many were convinced that the seventh day was the only Bible Sabbath, fifty arose. As near as we can learn, about twenty have decided to keep the Sabbath. Several are waiting to hear what can be said on the other side. Arrangements are being made for meetings at the house of Bro. Gillet, of which we gave public notice, and invited all interested to meet there on the Sabbath. If those who are now interested continue to investigate, I shall expect several more will take a stand upon the truth. At the last meeting I found that I had some warm friends, for the truth's sake, in that place, and it is my prayer that their interest in the truth may not abate. I now hope to return in a few weeks, and, in company with Bro. Snook, hold a few more meetings there. I commence lectures in the village of Waukon to-morrow evening, to continue as long as the interest may demand.
I must not forget to mention that I was encouraged three different Sabbaths at West Union, by brethren and sisters from Waukon. I appreciated their help, especially in the singing, as also did the audience.
I ought also to mention that Brn. Gillet and Shireman were untiring in their efforts to get the truth before their neighbors, and were encouraged at seeing so many interested in the truth. I would say to the churches at Waterloo, Laporte City, and Marion, that I expect to visit them in January, on my return homeward.
M. H. CORNELL.
Waukon, Dec. 3.
Take Courage.
By W. S. Foote
A FRIEND of mine has just told me that he has frequently heard the name of "Devilites" applied to those who are waiting and looking for the coming of Jesus. The last application of that name came from two professors of religion.
If this kind of dirt is thrown at my brethren elsewhere, I would just say to them, It is only the fulfillment of a prediction of the blessed Lord, who said, "If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more they of his household." Therefore we say again, brethren, Let us take courage; for certainly it is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord." What more can we ask for?
Then let me say, once more, Take courage, brethren, and with your whole hearts thank the Lord for so many way-marks to the kingdom and a glorious immortality.
I think when men are so wicked, especially the professors of religion in the nominal churches, as to call the followers of Jesus by the name of "Devilites," the time for an effort at sore persecution is near at hand; but our God has promised that no weapon formed against us shall prosper.